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“How are you enjoying your chicken?” he asked as he cut a piece from his own.
Patrick grabbed his stuff, glared at me, and left, hitting Adam with his bag on the way out.
Adam gave me a huge thumbs up, and I sighed, thinking how happy I was he was gone.
“I’m sorry about that, Carson.” I began to get up, but he held up a hand.
“I’d actually like some company. Eating alone is overrated, so please sit.”
I smiled and settled back in the seat and thought how nice it was to have a do-over. After all, I had spent the afternoon getting ready. Why should all that effort be wasted by going home early? I knew I’d just eat chocolate and watch Nicholas Sparks movies into the morning. I spotted Quinn, who had Zack’s ear. I was sure he was about to order popcorn at this point. The evening must have been quite entertaining.
Conversation came easily, and I didn’t even notice when our dinner plates were cleared and a chocolate mousse dessert was placed in front of us. We happily ate the creamy deliciousness while Carson told me about his job.
Wiping his mouth with a napkin, he leaned back and scanned the room with a grin.
“What?”
“I just can’t believe I’m here with the most gorgeous woman in the place. How lucky am I?”
“You.” I sidestepped his flattery. “I’d be stuck with Patrick telling me about how our date was going.” That made him laugh.
“I’m sorry for cutting this evening short, believe me, but I have a long drive ahead of me in the morning. I’ll be in town for the rest of the week, though, and I’d love nothing more than to spend more time with you.”
The woman at Ty’s table laughed and pulled my attention. Ty was no longer at the table, and the woman was talking to the older couple. Oh, well. If Ty could have someone, so could I. I wanted to be truthful with Carson from the start.
“I have to be honest. I’m interested in someone. It’s incredibly new, and I have no idea where it might go or if it’s even going anywhere. But I really enjoyed tonight and would like to do this again.”
“Then let the best man win.” He chuckled. “You’re refreshing Ivy, so,” he scribbled on a napkin, “call me old fashioned, but here’s my number.”
“All right.” I took the napkin with a smile and programmed his number into my phone. I sent a quick message off to him. “Call me modern.” I laughed, and he grinned at his phone as my info arrived. He stood and touched his upper lip in thought.
“I want a fighting chance, so does Monday, here, at seven work?”
“I believe it does.”
“Then it’s a date.” I watched him settle his bill with Adam at the front, then he whisked out into the rainy night.
Did that just happen? Yes, it did, Ivy!
“Well, you had quite the night.” Quinn chuckled next to me.
“I sure did.” I laughed as I folded the napkin Carson had given me with his number on it and tucked it away in my purse as a token. I left enough money on the table to cover the tab for myself and Patrick. It was worth every penny to be leaving without him.
“I’ll tell you, Quinn, I’ve had all the fun I can endure for one evening. I’m totally ready to go.”
“Let me.” He pulled out my chair. “Since it’s raining, I’d like to bring the car around. Zack is at the bar waiting for you to join him. He’ll stick around until I let him know I’m out front.”
“Sounds good.” I headed to the bar and waved at Zack. He was helping the bartender, who looked swamped. With a quick glance over my shoulder, I spotted Ty’s table was empty.
A pretty woman stepped in front of me. “Without sounding too forward, who are you?” Her eyes narrowed in on me, and I tried to place who she might be.
“I’m sorry. Do I know you?”
“No, but I’d like to know who you are.” Her face softened, and it eased my nerves. “I want to know why my brother’s mood changed the moment he spotted you in the restaurant.”
“Ah, you’re Ty’s sister,” I said more to myself. “I’m Ivy Knight, a team psychologist for the Army. I work with Ty.”
“A psychologist?” She lifted an eyebrow. “Please tell me you can finally get him to leave Demi. Seriously, it’s been years, and he’s—” My face must have fallen, because she stopped herself.
